Water heater



51 1953 c. w. MONTGOMERY 2,636,482

WATER mama Filed Oct. 22, 1951 gig-1 Q |I'..a Ila iif Carroll mMontgomery IN VEN TOR.

April 3 c. w. MONTGOMERY 2,636,482

Carroll W. Montgomery IN VEN TOR.

1.040113... WM M2):

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,636,482 WATERHEATER Carroll W. Montgomery, Clarence Center, N. Y. Application October22, 1951, Serial No. 252,523

7 Claims.

heater having means for transferring substantially all of the heatgenerated by the fuel into the water. The invention further providesmeans for conserving any heat that is passed through the flue by meansof a coil or preheater arranged in the flue. The present inventionprovides a substantially cylindrical water tank with a dome at the topthereof and a plurality of pipes in spiral formation connected to thebody adjacent the bottom thereof and spirally upward through the fireboxand being connected to the dome. The outlet pipe for the heater extendsupwardly through the flue and also in the flue is arranged a preheatercoil in the water inlet pipe.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improvedwater heater.

It isan object of this invention to provide a water heater having aplurality of spiral coils extending upwardly through the firebox.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a water heaterhaving an enlarged dome at the top thereof. I I

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dome'having aplurality of heat absorbing fins thereon.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a water heaterhaving a preheater in the outlet flue thereof.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide afloatoperated valve to control th amount of water in a water heater. r

It is a further object of this invention to provide a float operatedvalve of such dimensions that it can be entered through the water intakeconnection.

Other. objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in

' which:-

Figure 2 is a cross section through the steam generator takensubstantially on the plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the float valve;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification; and

Figure 5 is a cross section through the dome taken substantially on theplane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

In an exemplary embodiment according to the invention the hot waterheater has a body ll! of substantially cylindrical formation standingsubstantially vertical. The hot water heater. comprises an enlarged domeinto which the body l0 opens at the bottom thereof. The main heattransfer units comprise a pair of coils l4 and i6 having the lower endscommunicating with the body l0 adjacent the bottom end thereof andspiral upward through the firebox i8 and terminating in communicationwith the dome at the top of the firebox IS. The firebox l8 comprises anouter shell 20 of metal the majorportion of Which has a lining 22 ofrefractory material therein. The dome I2 is substantially oval invertical section and the outside thereof is provided with a plurality offins 24. The wall 20 curves substantially around the fins 24 so as toprovide a restricted passage between the firebox"; and a flue 25. Thebottom end of the chamber In is substantially closed'by a bottom 28 towhich is threaded a substantially tubular water inlet connection 30. Thetubular inlet connection 30. extends substantially axially in the bodyIt] and terminates in spaced relation from the bottom 28 preferablyadjacent to the inlet openings of the spiral coils I4 and [6. Thistermination injspaced relation to the bottom of the tank provides aquiet space in which any sediment or dirt or other materials in thewater will settle and be substantially trapped out of the circulatingsystem.

A suitable burner 32 is placed in the bottom of the firebox andimmediately surrounding the body It. A suitable gaseous fuel isintroduced into the burner 32 and escapes through the ports 34 where itis consumed, and the hot gases pass upwardly around the body l0 andparticularly around the spiral coils I4 and I6 transferring the majorityof heat through the water in the coils I 4 and IS, the hot gasescontinue upwardly around the dome l2 where the fins 24 extract a furtherportion of the heat so that a substantially small portion of the heatescapes through the'flue'ZB.

To further conserve any heat that escapes through the flue the outletpipe 38 extends upwardly from the dome it through the flue 26 andconnects to a circulating system not shown. The water inlet conduit 38has a coil, Ml therein, the coil ill is arranged in the flue 26 so thatany heat escaping through the flue 26 will be transmitted to the intakewater in the coil ill.

The water inlet conduit 38 extends down around the firebox l8. andconnects to a fittin 42 attached to the external end of the water inlet30. Preferably the firebox 18 or rather the jacket of the firebox ,20 isprovided with a heavy insulating jacket 44 which is usually re tained inplace by means of an external sheeting 48. While the sheeting -46corresponds substantially in shape to the firebox 18 it may, of course,be changed or modified to provide an ornamental effect if desired.

That portion of the inlet conduit 38 extending from the coil to to thefitting s2 is substantially embedded within the insulation within theouter jacket M. A return pipe from circulating system dB'connect-s tothe inlet conduit as between the coil and the fitting 42 preferably bymeans of a T-connection be somewhere intermediate the coil and a union56 placed in the conduit 38 adiacent to the fitting 82. A check valve 52is placed in a connection 38 between the returnpipe 38 and the preheaterso.

it is desirable to have a check valve "at between the inlet to and thecirculating system as indicated at 8 and preferably this valve is alsoplaced within the inlet conduit between the fitting 52 and the fittingThe arrangement as ;so far described is particularly useful when hotwateris to be used as a circulatingmedium. However, if steam isto be thecirculating medium it isdesired-to provide a water level Within the bodyiii and have superheated steam within the dome ii! so that thecirculating fluid will be steam. However, the return inlet 58 will carrycondensed steam or just water. In order to convert the device to a steamgenerator .a valve fidis placed in the water inlet 36, the seat $12 ofdie-valve 6f] being arranged on the interior of the fitting d2 having.the movable valve fill seated on a conical surface 64 thereon. A float55 is connected to the valve .68 by means of "a suitable flexibleconnection such as a chain .68; fioat fit is an elongated substantiallytubular member of such diameter that readily passes through the waterinlet fill. For the adjustment of the valve seat and the introduction.of-thefloat control-led valve, the fitting 42 is provided with apassage iii closed by means of a plug '12, the passage ill being-aslarge or larger than the passage through the Water inlet 3.6 :so thatthe float, the valve and the valve seat may be introduced through thefitting -42 and the valve seat 62 screwed into position in the fitting42.

.A safety valve 15- is provided with a tube 16 in communication with thedome l2. Likewise a pressure gauge 78 is provided with tube 80 incommunication with the dome 12.

.A water gauge is provided by means of a tube 34 connected into thefitting 12 on the tank side of the valve to and extending by means ofsuitable futtings- 85 outwardly and upwardly along the outside of theouter cover at and extending back'and welded into the body it above theposition of the float 6.6 and preferably below the dome 12. A suitablesight glass or water glass 88 may be connected to the tube 86 preferablyadja- 4 cent the location of the float 66 so that the water level may besuitably observed therein.

In the operation the device as a straight water heater the entire deviceincluding the dome is filled with water which circulates through thepipes 3G to 48 by means of a thermo-siphon action.

To operate the device as a steam generator, water is admitted until thefloat valve 66 seats the valve 5 9 at which time the ingress of water isstopped. The water in the coils M and It will be turned to steam andejected into the dome 12 to produce a circulation of water from the bodyit into the coils and steam into the dome 12.

Steam will go out through the outlet pipe 36 while the water orcondensed steam will return through.- the return pipe 48.

While an exemplary embodiment has been shown: and particularly describedaccording to the best present understanding thereof will be apparent andchanges and modifications can be made therein without departing ,from.the true spirit of the invention.-

I-Iaving described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

,l. A water heater comprising a substantially cylindrical body, anenlarged dome on said body, a plurality of tubes communicating with saidbody intermediate the ends thereof and termihating iii-said dome, aburner around said body adjacent the lower end thereof, a heat chamberaround said body and said dome, a refractory lining in a major portionof said chamber, a due communicating with the top of said chambenancutleton the top of said dome, said outlet extending through ,saidflue,an inlet conduit, .a coil in said inlet conduit, said coil beingarranged in said flue, said inlet conduit connecting into the ottom f Sod-y. a r turn conduit, said return conduit connected to said inletconduit between saideoil and the bottom of said body, a check valve insaid inlet conduit between said coiland said return conduit.

,2. A water heater comprising a substantially cylindrical body, anenlargeddome on said body, a plurality of tubes communicating with saidbody intermediate the ends thereof and termimating in said dome, aburner around said body adjacentthe lower end thereof, ,a heat chamberaround said body and said .dome, areiractory lining in .a major portionof said chamber, .a due ccmmunicatingwith the top of said chamber, anoutlet on the .top of said dome, saidv outlet ex-v tendingthrcugh saidflue, an inlet. conduit, aco'il,

in -said inlet conduit, said .coil being arranged in .saidflue, saidinlet conduit connecting into the bottom of said body, a return conduit,said return conduit connected .to said inlet conduit between saidcoiland the bottom of said body, a check valve in said inlet conduit betweensaid coil and said return conduit, a float operated valve in said inletconnection.

3. A water heaterflcomprising a substantially vertically extendingcylinder, an enlarged dome on said body, a firebox surroundingsaid'body, a refractory lining in said firebox, a spiral coil arrangedin said firebox, the lower end of said coil communicating-to said bodyadjacentthe lower portion thereof, 1the top end of said coilcommunicating to said dome, a water inlet connection including a tubularmember extending through the bottom of said body and terminat inginspaced relation to the bottom of said body, a .fiuebn said firebox, apassage around said dome, fins on the outer surface of said dome in saidpassage, an outlet pipe on said dome, said outlet pipe extending throughsaid flue, an inlet conduit connected to said water inlet connection, acoil in said inlet conduit, said coil arranged in said fiue.

4. A water heater comprising a substantially vertically extendingcylinder, an enlarged dome on said body, a firebox surrounding saidbody, a refractory lining in said firebox, a spiral coil arranged insaid firebox, the lower end of said coil communicating to said bodyadjacent the lower portion thereof, the top end of said coilcommunicating to said dome, a water inlet connection including a tubularmember extending through the bottom of said body and terminating inspaced relation to the bottom of said body, a fine on said firebox, apassage aroundsaid dome, fins on the outer surface of said dome in saidpassage, an outlet pipe on said dome, said outlet pipe extending throughsaid flue, an inlet conduit connected to said water inlet connection, acoil in said inlet conduit, said coil arranged in said fiue, a returnpipe to said heater, said return pipe connected to said inlet conduitbetween said coil and said inlet connection.

5. A water heater comprising a substantially vertically extendingcylinder, an enlarged dome on said body, a firebox surrounding saidbody, a refractory lining in said firebox, a spiral coil arranged insaid firebox, the lower end of said coil communicating to said bodyadjacent the lower portion thereof, the top end of said coilcommunicating to said dome, a water inlet connection including a tubularmember extending through the bottom of said body and terminating inspaced relation to the bottom of said body, a flue on said firebox, apassage around said dome, fins on the outer surface of said dome in saidpassage, an outlet pipe on said dome, said outlet pipe extending throughsaid flue, an inlet conduit connected to said water inlet connection, acoil in said inlet conduit, said coil arranged in said refractory liningin said firebox, a spiral coil arranged in said firebox, the lower endof said coil communicating to said body adjacent the lower portionthereof, the top end of said coil communicating to said dome, a waterinlet connection including a tubular member extending through the bottomof said body and terminating in spaced relation to the bottom of saidbody, a fiue on said firebox, a passage around said dome, fins on theouter surface of said dome in said passage, an outlet pipe on said dome,said outlet pipe extending through said fiue, an inlet conduit connectedto said water inlet connection, a coil in said inlet conduit, said coilarranged in said flue, a return pipe to said heater, said return pipeconnected to said conduit between said coil flue, a return pipe to saidheater, said return and said inlet connection, a check valve in saidinlet conduit between said coil and the connection to said return pipe,a valve in said water inlet connection, a float in said body, meansoperatively connecting said fioat to said valve.

7. A water heater comprising a substantially vertically extendingcylinder, an enlarged dome on said body, a firebox surrounding saidbody, a refractory lining in said firebox, a spiral coil arranged insaid firebox, the lower end of said coil communicating to said bodyadjacent the lower portion thereof, the top end of said coilcommunicating to said dome, a water inlet connection including a tubularmember extending through the bottom of said body and terminating inspaced relation to the bottom of said body, a valve in said water inletconnection, a float in said body operatively connected to said valve,said fioat being an elongated member of a diameter sufiiciently small topass through said water inlet connection.

CARROLL W. MONTGOMERY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 221,049 Gillitzer Oct. 28, 1879 545,386 Sparks Aug. 27, 1895915,273 Daley May 16, 1909 2,086,647 Sterrick July 13, 1937 2,263,031Estes Nov. 8, 1941 2,304,409 Jefiords Dec. 8, 1942

